Watsonville child molester mistakenly deported before sentencing

SANTA CRUZ -- A 38-year-old convicted child molester was deported to Mexico before he faced a potential six-ear prison sentence from a Santa Cruz County judge, authorities said Thursday.

Jorge Antonio Pallares, of Watsonville, pleaded no contest in October to lewd acts with a 13-year-old girl, said prosecutor Michael Gilman. Pallares was expected to be held in Santa Cruz County Jail until his sentencing on Thursday, where he faced up to six years in prison.

Instead, a quality control officer at the jail allowed Pallares to be released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 16, prosecutors said.

A Santa Cruz County Superior Court clerk also sent the jail incorrect information on Pallares' court dates, which muddled matters, Gilman said.

ICE representatives realized he had a sentencing date set for December and asked jail representatives about it. Jail representatives reviewed the matter and declined to take him back, Gilman said.

Pallares was deported to Mexico on Nov. 15.

"This should never have happened. A convicted child molester is now free to victimize other children," said Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee.

Pallares has not yet been sentenced, and authorities have not yet said whether he will be brought back to Santa Cruz.